Should the Indiana Pacers Run Their Offense Through Roy Hibbert?
Several years ago, as an incoming freshman at Georgetown University, I heard about a 7' 2" giant who would return our program to prominence as the next great Georgetown big. High praise I thought, considering Patrick Ewing, Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning had all roamed the hilltop before him.
Excitedly I searched for some of his highlights on the Internet. Finding mostly high school videos, I let out an agonizing groan as I watched Roy Hibbert lumber up the court. Michelangelo’s David was more agile than he was.
I remembered, from watching a few Big East games the year before, that he had improved, but I was still suspicious of such admiration from Hoya fans. For a guy six inches taller than many of his fellow centers, he was far from dominant.
Apparently Hibbert’s strides were indeed significant, as upperclassmen raved about his progress and promised good things to come.
I didn’t have to wait long to see that they were definitely right. Each and every game of Hibbert’s junior season, the big fella grew more assertive, more aggressive and more and more authoritative. By the end of the season, he was commanding the paint and leading the Hoyas to the Final Four.
Senior year—although disappointing from the team's perspective—was Hibbert’s best season on campus. He had transformed himself from a big timid stiff, to one of college’s most dominant centers. So when scouts questioned his toughness, desire and even his potential, I laughed—and hoped he would fall to Indiana.
Luckily for the Pacers, he did, and now Indiana is set to benefit royally. Of course, the first year in Indy was tough on Hibbert. Unaccustomed to the rigors and physical play of the pros, big Roy struggled to adjust his rookie season. But it was only a matter of time before he figured it out.
Similar to both high school and his four years as a Hoya, Hibbert’s game and stats improved each and every season as a Pacer.
Now, after having run the offense through Granger and other perimeter players, Hibbert is ready to shoulder the load. If the Pacers have aspirations as a playoff contender, they would be wise to give Hibbert all that he can handle.
After several years of grueling summer workouts to improve both his quickness and agility, Hibbert enters this season primed for a breakout performance. With the Pacers expected to sign a top-flight power forward when the lockout lifts, Hibbert’s numbers should skyrocket.
Adding a quality power forward who can matchup up with opponent’s bigs, should create more space and better matchups for Hibbert offensively, and help him stay out of foul trouble and focus on blocking shots defensively.
Already the biggest, and most physically imposing, center in the league at 7’2", 278 lbs. Hibbert has been working on his offensive repetoire with both Brian Shaw (whose tutelage helped Shaq take his game to the next level) and Bill Walton.
If the past seven years (three in the pros) of steady progress is any indication, look for Hibbert to have a monster season and turn the recently revitalized Pacers into a legitimate playoff contender.
Eighteen PPG and 12 RPG is certainly not out of the question. Neither is Hibbert—with the help of a free agent power forward—leading the Pacers to a top four seed in the Eastern Conference.
